Archives for August 2017

Firefighters in Lake County have been busy putting out spot fires the past couple of days. There were several yesterday alone. A small vegetation fire was reported on Cache Creek Way yesterday just after noon. At around 4PM, a vehicle fire spread into vegetation on Highway 29 near Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. Then just before 7:30 p.m., a wildland fire on Hendricks Road near Lakeport took down some power lines, but was quickly put out. Hot temperatures are forecast for the Labor Day Holiday weekend, and the Lake County Fire Protection District Chief says crews are prepared to respond to any fire calls.

The state has declined Jail-Based Competency Treatment for a Lake County man accused of starting two wildland fires in June. 64-year-old Merrill Craig Brown allegedly started the two small fires which were located outside of Lakeport and near Kelseyville. In June, Brown was ruled incompetent to stand trial, and was referred to the Conditional Release Program for the California Department of State Hospitals for a placement recommendation. A hearing in the case has been scheduled for September 6th.

A jury this week found a Willits man guilty for fatally hitting a victim in December of 2015. 20-year-old Justin Everett Phillips was driving the truck that ran down and caused the death of Donald Wagner on Center Valley Road in Willits. He was also found guilty of leaving the scene.

The crew of a Fort Bragg boat was rescued in Canada when their vessel caught on fire. Five people aboard the “Sea Valley II” were transported safely to Vancouver. The fire is suspected to have broken out in the ship’s engine room.

The Lake County Fair opens today and runs through Sunday, Sept. 3. The 2017 theme is “Boots N Bling.” The parade at 5:30 this evening startsat Natural High in Lakeport, and ends at the main gate to the fairgrounds.

A boy who was on a dirt bike when he was hit by a vehicle yesterday morning, had to be flown to an out of county trama center. The California Highway Patrol reports that the 12-year-old was riding the dirt bike west on Hoberg Drive just before 7 a.m, when he turned onto Hoberg Drive South and collided with a vehicle stopped at an intersection.CHP says the impact caused the boy to be thrown over the bike’s handlebars.

In a seperate incident, a boy on a bike collided with a vehicle in Lucerne. That accident happened on Monday afternoon. He was was flown to UC Davis Medical Center

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office says that there have now been five arrests in connection with an armed robbery and kidnapping that happened at a Covelo cannabis grow last month. Three suspects were arrested the morning of the robbery, on July 16th. The 4th suspect was arrested the next day in Redwood Valley. The 5th suspect, who has been evading police, was picked up Saturday evening in Redwood Valley.

Two pedestrians were hit by a car in Ukiah on Monday. The driver hit the man and woman as they were crossing State Street. The female driver of Redwood Valley turned onto State Street from Perkins Street when she struck the victims. The man reportedly suffered an injury to his head. Both were taken to a hospital.

Community members gathered in Library Park in Lakeport last night to remember Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Rob Rumfelt, who died last Tuesday in the line of duty. The memorial service for Deputy Rumfelt will be held at Clear Lake High School’s Don Owens Stadium in Lakeport on Saturday, September 9th, starting at 10:00AM. Cards and condolences are being accepted at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Lakeport. For those wanting to make a donation to assist the Rumfelt family , a “Deputy Rob Rumfelt Memorial Fund” account has been opened at Umpqua Bank on 11th Street in Lakeport.

There will be a candlelight vigil this evening to remember Deputy Rob Rumfelt. The public is invited to the vigil, which will begin at 8PM at Library Park in Lakeport. While candles will not be provided at the vigiil, those attending are invited to bring their own candle, use light on their cell phone, or a small flashlight.g